At a press briefing at the National Hurricane Center Monday, NOAA and FEMA officials urged Florida residents to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Ian.
Ian is expected to hit Florida as a category 3 or 4 hurricane within the next day, inundating parts of the state with up to 10-foot storm surges and tearing down power lines and homes with triple-digit sustained winds, according to the National Hurricane Center. At least 2 million people are being ordered -- or told it's a good idea -- to leave their homes.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for a swath of Sunshine state counties, and voluntary evacuations are in effect for others. Here's a county-by-county breakdown as of Tuesday evening. You can also search your address here to find out which designated evacuation zone you are in. Get more on Ian's track.
Mandatory Evacuation Orders by County
These are the counties under at least partial mandatory evacuation orders.
- Charlotte County: Charlotte County Emergency Management has issued evacuation orders for residents in Zone A and B. This includes those living on the barrier islands of Don Pedro Island, Knight Island (Palm Island), Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island and Manasota Key, as well as residents in any zone living in mobile homes and trailers. Check your zone.
- Citrus County: Mandatory evacuation ordered for all
- Collier County: Mandatory evacuation ordered for those living in the immediate coastal areas, west and south of US Highway 41/Tamiami Trail, in low-lying flood-prone areas and mobile homes
- Hernando County: Mandatory evacuations have been issued for all areas west of US 19, which include evacuation zones A, B, and C. All residents living in coastal and low-lying areas, as well as manufactured homes county-wide, are included. Residents are advised to seek safe shelter with family or friends that reside in a safe structure.
- Hillsborough County: Zone A (200,000 people) and Zone B (90,000) are under mandatory evacuation orders, including those living in low-lying areas and in mobile and manufactured homes.
- Lee County: Lee County has issued evacuation orders for barrier islands and low-lying areas and the county will open some of its shelters for evacuees who do not have other locations to stay. The evacuation area includes all of Zone A, which generally includes islands and coastal areas, and Zone B south of Veterans Parkway.
- Levy County: Coastal Communities, RV Parks, Mobile Homes and low-lying areas
- Manatee County: Zones A and B are under mandatory evacuation orders. Evacuation is recommended for Zone C
- Pasco County: Evacuations ordered in Zone A or for anyone who lives in a manufactured home, mobile home or RV anywhere in Pasco, or in a low-lying/flood-prone area. Those who live in structures that historically have experienced flooding during heavy rainfall is also required to leave. Anyone who lives in evacuation zones B or C is advised to leave
- Pinellas County: All residents in evacuation zones A, B and C, including all mobile home residents. All residential healthcare facilities will be under mandatory evacuation orders as well.
- St. Johns County: Evacuation orders are effective Wednesday Sept. 28 at 6 a.m. for Zones A and B, which includes the entire City of St. Augustine, the City of St. Augustine Beach, and those living on waterfront property or flood-prone areas. In addition, the county is also evacuating part of Zone F for residents south of County Road 214.
- Sarasota County: Evacuation Level A, all mobile homes and mobile home parks, RVs and boats. More details here
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Florida Counties Where Evacuations Are Advised
Voluntary evacuations are underway in the following counties. Check your local office for detailed information.
- Clay County
- Gilchrist County
- Glades County
- Highlands County
- Putnam County
- Taylor County
